March 2, 1942 – January 1, 2026
Haughton, LA
Willie Annette (Rodrigues) Lain, 83, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026, in Haughton, Louisiana. A devoted wife, she leaves behind a family she adored, including her beloved husband of 63 years, Gary S. Lain. She is also survived by her son, Shaun Lain, and wife Melinda; her cherished grandchildren, Sidney Lain Carter (Cameron), of Bossier City, LA and Lowrey Lain; of Haughton, LA and her brother, Henry Bartell Rodrigues of Knoxville, Tennessee.
She will be deeply missed by her nieces Debbie Rodrigues, of Oak Ridge, TN, Dena Rodrigues (PJ Maggio) of Marietta, GA, Denise Meyer (Stu) of Alpharetta, GA, Sharon Ledford (Jerry) of Ruston, LA, and Lisa Wylie (David) of Bossier City, LA. Others left to cherish her memory are several great nieces and nephews, relatives, and many special friends.
The youngest child and only daughter of Gozy Mack and Lorena Domino Rodrigues, Willie Annette was born in Bastrop, Louisiana.
Officially born on March 2, 1942, her birth certificate famously listed her birth as February 3, 1942—an error that proved impossible to correct—her family always celebrated her true arrival in March. She grew up in a lively household in Simsboro alongside her three brothers.
After graduating from Simsboro High School in 1960, Willie Annette attended Louisiana Tech University for two years. With Gary’s career, they relocated to Houma, LA, Ruston, LA, and Madison, MS before finally settling in Haughton in 1981. A lifelong lover of books, Willie Annette began a rewarding career with the Bossier Parish Library System, eventually retiring after 20 years of dedicated service.
The greatest joys of Willie Annette’s life were her granddaughters, her cherished canine companions, travel, and the deep, lifelong bonds she shared with her many family members and friends. She rarely missed attending any event for Sidney or Lowrey and was their loudest cheerleader! Willie Annette loved her family more than anything and nothing brought her greater joy than the family reunions held each summer. Those gatherings were some of her happiest moments, filled with laughter, stories, and the warmth of being surrounded by the people she cherished most. To Willie Annette family wasn’t just important, it was everything.
In addition to her parents, Willie Annette was preceded in death by her brothers Jerry Rodrigues, and Gozy Mack “Junior” Rodrigues all of Simsboro, Louisiana.
Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Hillcrest Funeral Home in Haughton. A graveside service will be held the following day, Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 1:00 PM in Simsboro, Louisiana, with Pervis “Spud” Rodrigues officiating. Pallbearers will be Shawn Fitzgerald, Craig Curry, Dustin Cochran, Colton Cochran, Preston Ehlers, Gavin Allen, Scott Meyer, and Cameron Carter.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to Dr. Maxwell C. McDonald III and Dr. Patrick Deere for their exceptional care. They also extend a sincere thank you to the staff of the Willis-Knighton Cancer Center and the Willis-Knighton Hospice team for the dedication and compassion shown to Willie Annette during her journey.
